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Berkman, Lidge exchange friendly barbs

Berkman, Lidge exchange friendly barbs

HOUSTON -- Phillies closer Brad Lidge and Astros slugger Lance Berkman are longtime friends who have stayed in touch since Lidge was traded from Houston to Philadelphia in November.

So it was more than just a battle of two of the National League's best when Berkman came up against Lidge with two out in the ninth inning Thursday night. Lidge got Berkman to pop out to left field to preserve the 7-5 Phillies win.

"He called me and we talked," Berkman said of the text message. "He thought it was hilarious, which I knew he would."

Berkman said no one should have been surprised by the outcome of Thursday night's showdown.

"The reality is if you want to be a numbers guy, the numbers are stacked vastly in Brad's favor in a situation like that," Berkman said. "He can literally throw fastballs right down the middle and you might pop it up ... like I did [Thursday] night."

Jim Carley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.